Alternating-current relay



' 0. THOMPSON.

ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1918.

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' SHEET].

Patented June 20, 1922.v

3 SHHITS INV ENTOR 0/01 Flo/71pm? ATTORNEY 0'. THOMPSON.

ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. Iv I9l8v SHEET 2.

S H E E TS INVENTOR 0/02 7770/77 250/7 Patented June 20, 1922,

ATTORN EY 0. THOMPSON.

ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED N0\.1,1918.

Patented June 20, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

INVENTOR 0/07 Thompson BY 7% ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

NEW YORK.

OLOI THOMPSON, OF NEW YORK, N'. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 EDWARD S. PEROT, 0F YONKERS,

ALTERNATING-CURRENT RELAY. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1922.

Application filed November 1, 1918. Serial No. 260,750.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Own THOMPSON, a citizen of Sweden, and a resident of the borough and county of Bronx, in the city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alternating-Current Relays, of which the fol-' lowing is a specification, v

This invention relates generally to means for safe guarding the normal flow and action of alternating electric currents, and more particularly appertains to that class of devices which are known as induction motor relays.

An importantfeature of the present in vention is that the'operative parts thereof are grouped closely together in parallel diametral planes within a single enclosure, whereby a desirable compactness of the improved relay is secured. v

Another feature consists in providing a series of electro-magnets disposed circularly in parallelism about the axis of said enclosure, and combining the same with a circuit-closer acted upon from opposite sides of said series.

A further feature resides in having the Walls and integral parts of the enclosure so constructed and proportioned as to con' stitute a magnetic field of-ample capacity affording convenient paths for the flux or lines of force intended to pass thereth'rough.

Still another feature is found in the utilization of the same paths of the magnetic field through the enclosure and its parts, for energizing two independent sets of wire windings, one under direct control, connected up with a shunt electric circuit. and the other under indirect control, in cluded in a series circuit. a

An additional feature is the provision, within the single enclosure, of separate chambers for the relays actuating and actuated mechanisms, which are thereby protected from external interference, while being readily accessible for repairs and inspection.

Briefly stated, the object of the inven tion is to produce an improved device' of the class mentioned, which shall be effective, reliable, and composed of a small number of parts, severally characterized by strength, durability andfacility of assemblage, as well as amenable to low cost of manufacture.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter descr bed in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and llustrated on the annexed drawings, where 1n like parts are designated 'by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In thesaid drawings Figure I is a face View of one form of the invention embodying a shunt-connected polyphase alternating electric current re- Fig. II is a vertical transverse section through the centre of the device, looking from the right-hand side of the preceding figure;

- Fig. III is a front elevation of another form of the invention, comprising a combined series and shunt connected multiphase alternating current relay, some parts being left out and others broken away;

Fig. IV is a central vertical section transyersely bi-secting the device represented in Fig. III, looking from the right hand side of the latter named view; and

Figs. V and VI are diagrams of the shunt and series-shunt wiring connections used in the two forms of relays depicted in Figs. I, II and III, IV respectively.

Succinctly outlined, the improved relay forming subject matter hereof comprises an enclosure having walls of different thicknesses that form part of a magnetic field, and divided into separate chambers situated one in advance of the other. These chambers contain the active and the passive elements of the relay, respectively. A subjacent compartment is added to the chamber for the active elements, at option. Within the latter named chamber is placed a cluster of magnetic cores, with wire windings thereon, opposite which is mounted a. non-magnetic armature of discoidal type. This armature is fixed to one end of a shaft disposed transversely of the enclosure, the. other end whereof extends into the chamber for the passive elements, consisting of contact members-and carriers therefor actuatedby the armature shaft. A terminal board is secured to one end of the said compartment, or in absence thereof to a wall of' the main enclosure, the same carrying the usual equipment of binding-posts and other electrical connections leading to the magnetic field coils that control the movement of the armature and the parts influenced thereby. The relay is conveniently .connected up either in shunt or in combined series and shunt, as hereinafter particularized.

Describing first the form of the invention illustrated in T igs. land 11, the reference character A denotes a substantially cylindrical casing, divided into two chambers B and respectively designed to contain the actuating and actuated mechanisms of the relay. These chambers are circumscribed by interconnected side walls 1 and 2 of different thicknesses, and are separated by means of a comparatively heavy central partition 3. As shown. the numeral l represents the thicker. and 2 the thinner walls.

The chamber B occupies the rear halfof the casing A and is closed by a stout head or plate 4. which latter also serves as a means of attachment for the former to a primary support. Vith this purpose in view. the back head 4 is provided with outwardly extending ears 5 pierced as at 6. for the introduction of fastening bolts or the like.

The chamber C lies directly forward of the chamber 13" and is closed in front by a light cover 7. held up against the circumferential wall 2, for instance, by screws, as 8. one of which only is shown. in Fig. ll. Such screws may be made to engage threaded apertures 9 of lugs 9 projecting inwardly from the cylindrical wall 2 of the front chamber. ther tap holes 10 are provided in the corresponding wall 1 of the rear chamber, substantially in alignment with the said apertures 9 and are engaged by screws 11, that serve to hold the rear head 4 in position.

Communicating with one side of the chamber B, preferably near the bottom thereof, is a compartment D surrounded vertically by front. rear and side walls de pending from the casing C, and indicated by the reference numerals 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively. The compartment D is closed .at the lower end by a terminal board 16,

made of insulating material, and fastened to the said walls 12-15 endwise thereof. by screws 17. Although this compartment is shown offset from the chamber 3". it is to be understood that as a matter of design the same could be located in line therewith. and either closer to or farther away from that chamber, as attending circumstances may require.

A central boss 20 projects across the chamber B from the partition 3 aforesaid, and equidistantly therearound are arranged pole-pieces 21, 22, 23 and 24, likewise extending outwardly from the partition. The

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several pole-pieces are locatcu parallel with the said boss. or more precisely with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical casing. and upon them are wound licld-coils 2.3. 20. QT and of customary insulated wire. Leads 29. 30. Ill and 3'. extend from these wire coils to anchoring screws or posts Ilil. 34-. 1%?) and 30 carried by the tcrminal board 16. The arrangcment ol' the coils 2; 2h and the leads 2 -32 is displayed to best advantage in the diagram hip. V wherein also are indicated connections 3T. 38 between the coils 25. 27 and the coils 26. 2h. coupling them in pairs.

Disposed at right angles to the free ends of the pole-pieces 21-24- is an arcuately movable member 41. preferably made in the shape of a disc. of aluminum or other nonmagnetic material. As shown. the disc ii is mounted on a transverse shaft l2. between a shoulder 43 thereon and a threaded collar 44. engaging the rear end of the shaft. The lattcr is rotatably supported in bearings l6. 47 inserted in the boss 21) and the partition 3, respectively. A clearance hole 48 in the boss 20 enables the shaft 42 to run free of the surrounding metal. of which the boss and, partition. as well as the entirc casing;- A is preferably made.

To the front end of the shaft 42. is fastened an arm 51. made of non-coinluction material. by means of a pin 52. or its equivalent. l pon the free end of this arm. between retaining projections 53 formed thereon. loosely secured a contact plate 54. for instance by a pin or rivet having a slight play in the outer end of the arm. A cotter 56 or other instrumentality. limits the endwise movement of the pin 55. so as to prevent. the underside of the plate Til from ris ing above the projections .33. while permitting the upper face of the plate to abut against carbon contact points 55). (it). when swung upward into the position indicated by dot-and dash lines *E" Fig. l. A stop 61. which may be in the nature ol a pin driven into the partition 23. limits the downward swing of the arm 51. when the same is released.

The contact points 5%). (30 are held by clamps (32. (53 forming part of holders (El. (35 respectively. The latter have shanks (3U. (37 which are insulated from each other and from the casing A: by inside and outside insulation strips (38. (if). as also by bushings T0. Tl respectively. Nuts T2. 73 on the shanks (36. GT serve to draw together these parts of the device. The constructimi here described could be utilized with equal ad vantage for the anchor posts 33-4; as it would be quite practical to put them directly through the peripheral wall 1. of the chamber B. thereby eliminating the compartment D in its entirety. v

\Vhen the field magnets 25-28 are energized by a multiphase alternating electric current transmitted thereto from the posts Bit-30. on the terminal board 16. the angular displacement of the phases of the current generates a rotative flux which acts upon the disc or discoidal armature 41 and sets it in motion. The torque exerted by the latter upon the shaft 42 thereof is transmitted to the arm 51. which consequently oscillates through a short arc in an upward direction. whereby the plate 54 is made to bridge the gap between the contact points 59, (30 and close the electric circuit in an auxiliary line connected up with the shanks 66. (37 of the holders 64, 65. Due to the thickness or comparatively voluminous dimensions of the circumferential wall 1, central partition 3, and back head 4, the flow of the magnetic lines of force through them, and the pole-pieces 2124, is greatly facilitated. In case one of the field magnets becomes de-energizetl. or the phase of the electric current is reversed. the arm 51 drops and pulls away the plate 5 1 from the contact points 59. 60. Then the auxiliary circuit is broken. on account of the torque failing'on' the disc or armature -11. and temporarily interrupts or diverts the current controlled by the relay. until the normal flow and-a0 tion thereof have been re-established.

The above described construction is especially available for the protection of alter-1 nating current motors of electric elevators, in so far' as it precludes their being connected up so as to run in the wrong direction. )Vith this improved relay, the current remains on the field-magnets as long as the elevator is being operated.

It is obvious that the construction hereinaboveexplained may be altered in various waysQwithout detrimentally affecting its efficiency. For instance. it is conceivable that the head 4 of the chamber B may constitute an integral part of the casing A. instead of being detachable therefrom as shown in Fig. II. In that case. the central partition 3. would be removable, the magnetic'cores and windings being carried by the head .4. and the disc 41. located adjacent to the said partition. The other parts could be disposed substantially in the same manner as in the structure already described.

The modified form of the invention disclosed in Figs. III and IV embodies practically all of the elements hereinabove described, which therefore are designated by like numerals of reference named views. excepting that the magnetic cores or pole-pieces 21-21 are made to carry four additional windings, as 25. 27. one on each. Only two of these windings are shown, in Figs. III and IV. Double windings are provided, however. on all of the cores the same comprising two pairs of fine wire coils, as 25, 27, for shunt winding,

in the latterand two pairs of coarse wire coils 80, 81. R2 and 83, used for series winding. Fig. IV represents this series winding diagrammatically, and also connections, as 84. 85 coupling the coils together in pairs. The last named connections. as well as the other crossconnections 37. 38. appearing in Figs. II and V, may consist of metallic rings surrounding and suitably spaced from the central boss 20.

The leads for connecting the coils 8083 in series with an electric motor are indicated by the numerals 86, 87, 88. 89, and shown as attached to conductor rods 90. 91 92, 93 passing through insulator bushings. 94:. 95. 9G. 97. which are formed in pairs with terminal insulating plates 98. 99. held by screws 100, 101 to bosses 102. 103 on the opposite sides of the casing A. The conductors 90-413 may be secured to the insulating plates 98. 99, by pins104 passed therethrough. To the outer ends of the conductors are attached T-clamps 106, 107, 108. 109. from which in sulated cables 110. 111. 112, 113. lead to an electric motor (not shown).

In the construction of relay exemplified by Figs. III and IV, a push-button switch (not shown) may be employed to set the disc 11 in motion. This switch would couple up the posts 33-36 with part or a branch of the main electric circuit. The fine wire or shunt coils (as 25, 27) would thereby become energized and cause the disc to operate the arm 51 so as to close the auxiliary circuit passing through the holder shanks 66. 67. A magnetic switch (not shown) included in the main line will direct the electric current .through the wires 110113. the conductor rods 9093, the leads 86.-89, the coarse wire coils 8083 and the electric motor connected in series therewith, 1

The torque exerted by the series coils 8083 upon the disc 41 tends to maintain the plate 54 against the contact points 59. 60, so that when the operator releases the push but ton or opens the switch controlling the branch circuit originating at the posts 33-36, the disc 41 remains under the influence of the coils 8083 until the electric current through the same is interrupted. The magnetic flux from both the shunt and the series wire coils passes through the iden'- tical pole-pieces 2123, and both kinds of coils affect the disc 41, arm. 51. and plate 54.

An alternating'current motor equipped with the device illustrated in Figs. III and IV will be fully protected from phase failure, phase reversal iand; exceedingly low voltage. as well as against the opening of a phase in the motor itself. Thus. for instance, if a phase happens to be reversed, the disc 41 will turn backwards and open the gap between the contact points 59, 60 and plate 54 interrupting the electric current through the auxiliary line to the magnetic switch and thereby stopping the motor included in the main circuit before any damage is done. The auxiliary line will also be broken in the event of failure of one of the phases leading to the motor, or if a phase in the motor itself be opened. The revolving phase field would consequently disappear, and the arm 51 fall away from the contact points 59, 60, which of course again operates to disengage the magnetic switch and intercept the main current to the motor.

In View of the fact that the electric current flowing through both the series connected main line and the shunt coupled branch line is derived from the same source, it follows that if an irregularity exists therein neither the series nor the shunt wound field magnets can induce the armature actuated contact member to close the auxiliary circuit and thus the two connections are protected from accidentally interfering one with the other.

Although the description herein given has been made solely with reference to a circuit closing device, it is obvious that the invention can be incorporated effectively into a circuit-opener, simply byreversing the relative arrangement of the operative parts thereof, so that, for instance, the arm 51 with the plate S-l will have an inherent tendency to move against the elements 59 and (SO. Manifestly, in such a case, the connections with the field magnets must be reversed, in order that the disc 4-1 be caused to turn arcuately in the opposite direction.

lVhile certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements. sizes, proportions and details thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is 1. An alternating current relay, con1prising an enclosure having perimetral and end walls forming part of the field for the magnetic flux, an armature of discoidal type mounted to move about an axis substantially coinciding with that of the enclosure, field magnets disposed at right angles to one side of said armature having cores parallel to said axis and connected up with an electric circuit, a contact member included in an auxiliary line, and means coacting with said contact operated by the armature to interrupt the auxiliary line when a phase disturbance occurs in said circuit.

2. An alternating current relay, compris 'ing an enclosure having perimetral and end walls forming part of the held for the magnetic flux, means extending inwardly from the perimetral wall to complete the magnetic field, cores with windings thereon located intermediate of the end wall and said means,

. fnrmed integral therewith,

an armature within the field acted upon by said cores, the windings on the latter being connected up with an electric circuit, and means controlled by said armature adapted to make and break an auxiliary line.

An alternating current relay, comprising a casing having perimetral and end walls forming part of the field for the magnetic flux, a shaft coinciding substantially with the axis thereof. an armature of discoidal type connected with said shaft at one side of said casing for operation transversely of its said axis,iicld magnets for actuating said armature coupled up with an electric circuit, and a member operated by the shaft at the opposite side of the casing adapted to in terrupt an auxiliary line whenever phase disturbanw occurs in said circuit.

4. An airernating current relay. comprising a two cliai'nbered casing having perimetral and end walls forming part of the lield for the magnetic flux, actuating mechanism located in one chamber thereof. said mechanism consisting of an armature the working face whereof is acted upon endwise by field magnets coupled up with an electric circuit, actuated mechanism occupying the other chamber, the latter named mechanism including a member arranged to open and close an auxiliary line, and coaxial means extending from one of said chambers into the other serving to connect said mechanisms together.

5. An altcxnating current relay, comprising a double chambered casing including a body diametrically divided by a partition closures for said body on opposite sides of said partition said body closures and partition forming the field for the magnetic flux, field magnets connected. up with an electric circuit and. eccentrically positioned in the chamber parallel with the axis of said casing, a substantially flat faced armature actuated by said magnets, a shaft for said armature extending through the partition substantially coaxial .with the casing, a contactmember operated by said shaft in the other one of the chambers, and an auxiliary line connection controlled by said member.

6. An alternating current relay, comprising a casing with two juxtaposed chambers formed by walls of different thicknesses, a dividing partition between said chambers corresponding in thickness to that of the heavier walls of said casing, the latter named walls and said partition constituting a part of the field pertaining to electromagnets contained within the heavier walled chamber and coupled up with an electric circuit, a substantially flat armature in said chamber acted upon by said magnets endwise and connected with ashaft extending at one end into the th' iner walled chamber. a contact member can led by said end of the armature shaft. and means within reach of said membcr enabling it to close and open an auxiliary line.

7. fin alternating current relay. comprising a two chambered casing having a surrounding wall of different thicknesses. the thinner part oi said wall bounding one chamber and the thicker portion of the wall encompassing the other chamber. a mid-partition correspondiugly proportioned to said thicker wall portion separating said chambers. closures for the casing commensurate with the dilt'crent wall sections thereof. electroinagnets coupled up with an electric circuit and positioned in the thicker walled chamber so as to include the same within their magnetic field. an armature at one side of said magnets connected with a shaft extending into the thinner walled chamber. a contact member operable from the extending portion of said shaft. and a connection with an auxiliary line controlled by said member.

8. An alternating current relay. comprising a double chambered casing formed by an enclosing wall with a substantially cen tral partition. closures for the opposite ends of said casing. saidcasing. closures and partition forming the field for the magnetic flux. a set of pole-pieces projecting directly from said partition toward one of said closures. windings on said pole pieces connected up with an electric circuit. an armature of discoidal type positioned by the free ends ot the pole pieces. a shaft for said armature disposed transversely of saidchambers. a contact member actuated by said shaft on the other side of said partition. and a connection adapted for-contact with said member operating to open and close an auxiliary line.

9. An alternating current relay, comprising a casing with two chambers separated by a substantially centralpartition. closures for the opposite ends thereof said casing and partition forming part of the field for the magnetic flux. a substantially flat faced armature positioned to operate adjacent to one of said closures. a shaft for said armature extending transversely through said partition. a bearing for said shaft projecting from the latter toward the armature. electroniagnets disposed equidistantly around said hearing from the same side of the partition in position toactuate the armature and coupled up with an electric circuit. a contact member adapted to be moved by the shaft on the opposite side of the partition and means serving to open and close an auxiliary line through action of said member.

10. An alternating current relay, comprising an open ended casing, a closure tor one end thereot' attording an attachment to a vertically disposed primary support, an-

other closure for the opposite end ofsaid casing said casing and closures forming part of the field of the magnetic flux. means for holding said closures and the casing to one another. horizontally positioned field magnets between said closures coupled up with an electric circuit. and an armature opposite the ends of said magnets adapted to operate a contact member controlling an auxiliary line.

11. An alternating current relay. comprising a casing attachable to a primary support. said casing having a chamber enclosed by heavy walls and a light walled compartment at one side thereof. electromagnets coupled with an electric circuit entering said chamber. said magnets and said heavy walls forming party of the same field. an armature actuated by said magnets in the chamber. and a contact member capable ot making-and breaking an auxiliary line. said member being located in said compartment and operated by said armature.

12. An alternating current relay. comprising a double chambered casing having a compartment communicatingtherewith, and closures for the ends of the chambers and the compartment. the closure for the latter constituting a terminal board jtor an electric circuit. said chambers respectively containing an armature actuated byIfield magnets coupled up with said terminal board. and the contact member operated by said armature so as to control the opening and closing of an auxiliary line. I

13. An alternating current relay. comprising an enclosure of different thicknesses. forming part of the magnetic field. magnets therein connected up with an electric circuit. an armature ot' discoidal type actuated by said magnets. a shaft operated by said armature at one end. a non-conducting arm directly oscillatable by the other end of said shaft. and a contact member carried by said arm in position to close and open an auxiliary line. i

.14. An alternating current relay, comprising a casing, elcctromagnets in said casing coupled up with an electric circuit, an armature controlled by said magnets, a shaft actuated from one end by said armature. an arm on said shaft at theop'posite end thereof, a contact plate insulated from the shaft and adjustably supported by said arm, and contacts forming part of an auxiliary line operatively positioned relatively to said plate.

15. An alternating current relay, comprising a casing. electromagnets therein coupled up with an electric circuit, an arrow ture of discoidal type oscillated by said magnets, a shaft operated by said armature. a member oscillatable by said shaft in a plane parallel to that of said armature,

and holders including clamps elements cs 1 ,aaooer positioned so as to be contacted endwise by said member thereby opening or closing an auxiliary line.

16. in alternating current relay, corn prising an enclosure, electroniagnets therein having independent windings respectively connected up with a main electric circuit and a branch circuit, an armature operable by either windings, and a contact nicmber actuated from said armature so as to open and close an auxiliary line controlling the main circuit, the arrangement being such that the branch circuit controls the auxili ary line through one of said windings and the main circuit atl'ects the auxiliary line rough the other one of the windings so that ii i a disturbance occurs in the main circuit the auxiliary line controlling the same will be interrru'ited.

17. in alternating current relay, coinprising a casing, field magnets mounted in the latter, including poles with separate series and shunt windings respectively coupled up with a main electric circuii and a branch circuit, an arn'iature operable by said poles under the influence of either of said windings, and a contact member actuated from said armature so as to open and close an auxiliary line controlling the main circuit, the auxiliary line being controlled by the branch circuit through the shunt winding and affected by the main circuit through the series winding, whereby a disturbance occurring in the last named circuit operates to interru 'it the same due to the control of the auxiliary line thereover.

l8 An alternating current relay. comprising a conductive enclosure, electromagnets in the latter operatively connected therewith, said magnets including each series and shunt windings coupled up with a main electric circuit and a branch circuit retireiy, an armature adapted tor opera M011 by either winding of said magnets, a

contact member actuated said armature and arranged to close are op n an auxiliary line controlling the main circuit, a portion of said enclosure constituting part ot the magnetic field for both oi said wind ing's.

19, An alternating current relay, cornprising a casing with side and end walls haying magnetic conductivity, pole pieces operativcly connected up with said casing in parallelism with the longitudinal axis thereof, series and shunt windings mounted in pairs side by side on said pole pieces, said windings being respectively connected up with a main electric circuit and a branch circuit, an armature actuated by e air of said windings about an axis coii'iciding with that oi the casing. both windings having the same magnetic field through the pole pieces, the arn'iaturc, and, the casing walls, and the contact nioinber operated from the armature so as to open and close an auxiliary line controlling the main circui 20. An alternating current relay, comprising a two chambered casing with a coinpartinent coniniunicating with one chamber thereof, electromagnets contained in the latter named chamber and including each series and shunt windings coupled up with a main electric circuit and a branch circuit respectively, the shunt windings being, connected with the branch circuit by way of said compartment. and the series windings coupled at substantially right angles thereto with the main circuit through the opposite sides of the same chamber. an armature actuated by either of said windings, and a contact member in the other chamber operated from said armature so as to open and close an auxiliary line eriteriingsaid other chamber in a direction opposite to the branch circuit and controlling the main circuit.

DLOF ZHUh-lESGN. 

